Chip In steps out for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman after showing plenty of ability in previous preparation. Luke Nolen takes the ride from a favorable draw where he can settle just off the speed. The three-year-old looks primed to breakthrough here with a strong turn of foot over this trip.
Gordon Elliott targets this maiden hurdle with Doctor Elvis who possesses the strongest national hunt flat form in the lineup. Jack Kennedy takes the ride which is always a positive signal around Thurles. A clean round of jumping should see him justify favoritism comfortably.
Tell The Tale showed solid jumping technique on his chasing debut and steps up to a stamina-friendly three-mile trip that plays to his strengths. Neil Mulholland boasts a profitable strike rate at this venue. From a mark that looks manageable, he rates the clear value play.
Ivor Bear has shown steady progression over hurdles and sets the benchmark here for the Twiston-Davies yard. He ran with credit behind smart prospects last season and this step up in trip looks ideal on good to soft ground. With Sam Twiston-Davies in the saddle, he rates the most solid contender on the card.
Diamond Eye arrives in peak physical order after a commanding performance last start. Damian Lane takes the reins from a clean middle draw, allowing her to settle into an ideal rhythm before unwinding over the mile. Her sectionals suggest she is primed to outstay this BM62 field.
Türkiye at home always plays with ferocious intensity and aggressive forward momentum, leaving acres of space behind their aggressive defensive line. Belgium has the transition speed and clinical finishing to exploit those gaps in behind repeatedly. Both sides score freely in competitive matches while showing consistent vulnerability against direct counter-attacks. An open, end to end encounter with at least three goals is the most probable outcome.
Spain comes into Prague boasting supreme technical mastery, dominating territory and pinning opponents deep for prolonged sequences. Czech Republic will sit in a disciplined low block and rely on set pieces, but their fullbacks will be severely tested by Spain's width. Once Spain breaks the initial resistance, Czech Republic will have to open up, leaving space on the counter. Backing Spain with a one goal handicap cushion represents prime value.
England at Wembley holds a major athletic and territorial edge over this transitioning Croatian side. Croatia's veteran midfield core still controls possession in spells, but they struggle against explosive wingers who press high. England creates substantial expected goals at home while suffocating counter-attacks early. With qualification points critical, England should control the tempo and pull away by two goals, with the full goal handicap offering excellent push insurance.
Italy and France meet in a high stakes Nations League clash where defensive discipline will dictate the tempo. Luciano Spalletti has drilled Italy into a compact low block that limits transitions, while France rarely overcommits away from home against elite opposition. Both midfields possess physical ball winners who will disrupt rhythm in the final third. A tight, tactical affair with fewer than three goals is the clear value angle on the board.
This is the classic 'Division Trap' that recreational punters fall into every single cup week. The retail public sees Championship vs. League Two and blindly backs Sheffield Wednesday. But smart money knows how the EFL Trophy actually works: Sheffield Wednesday have zero interest in this competition with grueling Championship survival on the line. Expect Wednesday to field their U21 development squad mixed with third-string fringe players who have never played together. Accrington Stanley, meanwhile, treat the EFL Trophy as a massive financial and silverware opportunity. John Doolan will field seasoned, physical lower-league pros who live for cup upsets against bigger clubs. Getting a full +1.0 goal head-start at 2.15 on an Accrington side that will out-muscle and out-work a disjointed academy lineup is the standout value bet on the entire English coupon.